HENNIKER, N.H. -- New England College Softball closed out the regular season with a split against Mitchell College on Saturday afternoon.
Game one -- MC 8, NEC 3
Mitchell struck first with a lead off home run to left field, taking an early 1-0 advantage. NEC limited further damage in the inning, stranding one runner after two hits, but was unable to respond offensively in the opening frame.
Both teams settled in over the next two innings, combining to face just seven batters apiece in the second and third.
NEC broke through in the bottom of the fourth, as senior Emma Lopez (Downey, Calif.) led off with her 21st double of the season. Senior Surena Montero (Bakersfield, Calif.) followed with a single and stole second, putting two runners in scoring position. Senior Abigail Grimes (Baltimore, Md.) drove in Lopez with a pop-up to right field, and senior Julia Maker (Warwick, R.I.) delivered her first double of the season to score Montero and give NEC a 2-1 lead.
Mitchell responded in the fifth, scoring four runs on five hits to reclaim the lead at 5-2. NEC added a run in the sixth when junior Wren Anhalt (Brooksville, Fla.) doubled to right field to score Montero, but the Pilgrims stranded two runners in the inning.
The Mariners sealed the game in the seventh with a three-run home run, securing the 8-3 victory.
Game Two -- NEC 3, MC 1
Sophomore Amanda Magro (Phoenix, Ariz.) made her 14th start of the season in the circle, striking out the first batter she faced. Mitchell scored its only run in the opening inning on a double to left-center.
NEC answered immediately in the bottom half. Senior Grace Giesler (La Mirada, Calif.) tripled—her 27th career triple, extending her program record—and came around to score after Lopez reached on an error, tying the game at 1-1.
The game remained deadlocked until the fourth inning, when Grimes and Maker each singled and advanced on a passed ball. With both runners in scoring position, senior Kyndal Murawski delivered a clutch single and advanced to second on a fielding error, driving in two runs to give NEC a 3-1 lead.
Mitchell threatened in the sixth with three hits but left the bases loaded, as NEC's defense held strong. Magro closed out the game in the seventh with an efficient three-up, three-down inning to secure the win.
Magro earned her 10th victory and 12th complete game of the season, finishing with five strikeouts and 85 on the year.
NEC concludes the season with a 15-22 overall record and a 9-9 mark in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play.
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